courageous

adjective

kə-ˈrā-jəs How to pronounce courageous (audio)
Definition of courageousnext
as in brave
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament the courageous decision to quit rather than obey an illegal order

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of courageous Board chairs need to be competent, courageous and lead with integrity to protect individual board members in order to fulfill the fiduciary duties and provide value to the shareholders. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Later, as the Moon enters Aries, small courageous steps help restore focus. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026 Recently, courageous athletes like Riley Gaines have showcased the power of the American spirit by relentlessly fighting to keep women sports female. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 In another less courageous version, Carmy would simply learn to delegate and calm down rather than admit there was no healthy way forward for him at the Bear. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for courageous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courageous
  1. brave
  2. fearless
  3. valiant
  4. heroic
  5. gallant
  6. bold
Adjective
  • Some then created stories of brave soldiers killing those imaginary dragons.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 15 July 2026
  • Of course, this brave new cyberlibrary drew pushback, as critics worried that cell phone novels would spell the end of Japanese literature.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of brave
Adjective
  • Ten years after audiences first met Disney’s fearless wayfinder, Moana has returned to theaters in a new live-action adaptation.
    — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Family, students and curators are digitizing her vast archive and spotlighting early wearable art, even as multiple generations credit Saar’s fearless vision with expanding possibilities for Black womanhood and American art.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • Tunisia put up a valiant effort despite the nonstop Dutch offensive.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • And if the heat doesn’t get to you first, the humidity is sure to make a valiant attempt.
    — Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 25 June 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • And Bellingham was heroic yet again in the quarterfinal with Norway — his second goal of that match broke the deadlock in the 93rd minute.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • To give up drinking can feel like trading in your exciting, chaotic, heroic existence for a drab and joyless one.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of heroic
Adjective
  • Clearly, Americans didn’t do gallant failure, instead demanding domination over mere participation every time.
    — Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
  • Commandment was very gallant in defeat for trainer Brad Cox and looks to be on the improve after his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
Definition of gallant
Adjective
  • SpaceX thinks Starship's combination of power and reusability will revolutionize spaceflight, allowing humanity to settle the moon and Mars, among other bold exploration feats.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026
  • Last year, the Food and Drug Administration removed a bold safety warning about possible heart risks with testosterone pills, gels, injections and patches, based on recent data that showed no increase in those problems.
    — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of bold

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courage
courageous
courageously
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Cite this Entry

“Courageous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courageous. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on courageous

Nglish: Translation of courageous for Spanish Speakers

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